A HAMPSHIRE couple were today counting their blessings and saluting firefighters for saving their 16th century cottage which they have spent months renovating.

About 70 firefighters battled a blaze in the thatched roof of the home in Chapel Drove, Horton Heath, after a passer-by raised the alarm at 10.40pm.

After last night's incident self-employed manufacturing consultant Mike Collins and his wife, Hilary, were saluting firefighters for doing a magnificent job - and they praised their neighbours for helping.

Mr Collins said: "The fire crews saved it. Inside is pretty intact and so are the roof trusses. We have been working on renovating it for two and a half years and, thankfully, most of it is saved."

Mrs Collins said: "If the firefighters had been on strike I think we would have lost it. They were great. We got nothing but help and co-operation."

The couple added: "The neighbours have given us tremendous support. In the circumstances, we couldn't have wished for better support all round."

The blaze in the roof meant firefighters had to cut away about half of the thatch, while 30 per cent of the first-floor ceiling was damaged.

But crews from the ten fire engines that rushed to the scene managed to stack up furniture and belongings and cover them with sheets to prevent damage.

The cottage owners had been unaware their roof was alight until a neighbour knocked on the door.

"We couldn't believe it," they said.

A motorist driving along Burnetts Lane first spotted the blaze and alerted a neighbour at Chapel Drove who roused the householders.

Mr Collins said: "At that stage there were flames coming from the base of the chimney.

"By the time the fire brigade got here, burning straw was just beginning to drop inside the thatch."

Eastleigh-based Sub Officer Malcolm Crisp said when firefighters arrived smoke was pouring through the thatch and the strong wind was not helping.

"The first crews cut away the thatch to start a fire break to keep it to one side of the roof.

"As more crews arrived we slowly removed the roof and brought the fire under control. It was a long hard job and the guys worked well."

Fire crews from Eastleigh, Bishop's Waltham, Botley, High-town, Hamble, Redbridge and Winchester were called to the scene.